January of 2013 vs January of 2012----WHICH January brings the most optimmism in year ahead

[Fritz]

The Packer Defense might be a situation where the drafting or development of a singular talent will decide the direction of the rest of the roster moves in the future.

If Nick Perry develops into a true pass rush threat, then pass rushers in the interior aren't as desperately important and more space eaters for 1st and 2nd down could be carried.

If they draft an ILB who is great but needs protection (like R. Lewis or the short guy from Miami a while back) that might break the logjam. If they get a 5 tech DE who can also pressure the QB, then that would point in a different direction. The confusion on defense might be the best argument to take the best player and make the rest of the replaceable parts fit around the 3 good ones.

I think this is a good point. I have been wondering, though, how to best defense an offense built on the read option. Do you need guys that are super fast to catch the QB? Do you need monster interior guys to eat up blockers and hold position so the linebackers can fill in?

One thing, it seems to me that you can't have a three-man rush. It creates too many gaps for the QB to run through, and if he can then make the first tackler miss, then it's probably a first down.

[Pugger]

I don't think that much has changed, except for the fact I'm convinced the Packers still need a replacement for Nick Collins. They will be losing great players like Jennings and Woodson soon, but it appears TT has done a pretty good job of drafting their replacements. If TT can upgrade the Safety and Defensive line positions in the draft, I think they're in pretty good shape. I don't think the prospects of the offensive line going forward are as bad as people think.

GMTA

If we can fix these defensive issues we should be in the running once again. Will getting Perry and Bishop back be the shot in the arm this defense needs? It might be prudent to improve our running game too. If defenses have to account for our RB Rodgers will be even more dangerous than he already is.

[Pugger]

The Vikings need a hell of a draft this year to keep the mirage alive. They were extraordinarily healthy this season and still kind of sucked. I agree they might improve their team but I highly doubt they'll improve their record.

It will be interesting to see how they will draft now that they won't be picking in the first half of the rounds.